Heading into the final quarter of the 2021 MLB season, oddsmakers have begun to make significant adjustments in their future markets as division races heat up. Focusing on one favorite or spotting a longshot who offers long-term value remains the best way to attack futures betting.
ON THE MOVE
The Los Angeles Dodgers remain overwhelming favorites in the eyes of the oddsmakers to win the 2021 World Series. Jockeying behind the Dodgers on the board are three teams at single-digit odds: the Houston Astros, Chicago White Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays. Philadelphia is one team in the World Series market that witnessed a noticeable shift in their odds post-All-Star break—continue to see their odds plummet. The Phillies, who are in a thick of a three-team race for the NL East with the Mets and Braves, have seen their 30-1 odds back on July 20 drop to their lowest offering of the 2021 season at 18-1.
Another noticeable move belongs to Tampa Bay, which has opened up a three-game lead in the AL East over Boston, New York, and Toronto. The Rays see their 14/1 odds offered back in July sliced to only 9/1 this week.
One team the sportsbooks have their eyes on is the Atlanta Braves, who have taken over first place in the NL East. The oddsmakers believe the Braves are a club that should be taken seriously. In World Series odds, Atlanta was offered at 60/1 last month, only to see a sizable reduction this week down to 18/1.
LOSING RESPECT
The New York Mets, who won just six of their last 18 games, have seen their odds soar from 12/1 to 25/1. The Mets, who now trail both the Braves and Phillies in the NL East, clearly miss the services of star pitcher Jacob deGrom (elbow) and top-hitting shortstop Francisco Lindor (oblique).
In addition, the San Diego Padres – who are just 9-10 over their last 19 games dating back to July 27, have fallen 11 games behind the Giants in the race for the NL West crown. The sportsbooks, who were offering the Padres at 10/1 last month, are now offering the Southern California power at their highest odds of 2021 at 14/1.
San Diego missed the bat of star shortstop Fernando Tatis (shoulder) over the last several weeks. Tatis, who made his return on Sunday slugging two home runs while playing the outfield for the first time in his career, has now lost pitcher Yu Darvish (back) to the 10-day injured list.
